Colorado State's Bell grows into his role

Senior hopes to lead young secondary

By Mike Brohard Sports Editor

Posted:
04/17/2013 07:51:16 PM MDT

Shaq Bell can cover a lot of ground in the secondary for Colorado State, be it at cornerback, safety or nickel back. He'll have another big role this season for the Rams, that as a leader for a young group. (Steve Stoner)

Heading into his fourth and final season, Shaq Bell has thoughts of how his season should go. And after seeing his growth in the past year, the coaching staff at Colorado State very much has a vision for him, too.

Bell's not sure either version of the picture differs from the other.

"I think it's probably equal," Bell estimates on the expectations each side holds. "I'm expecting to make big plays and get as many turnovers as I can, just be a big leader for the defense to get the guys going when it's kind of sluggish. I think our expectations are the same."

When Jim McElwain came in, the primary order of business was to change the way the players approached things on and off the field, from work ethic on the field to producing in the classroom. It's been a process, but one he feels Bell has handled better than most.

"I think since I've gotten here, out of all the guys, I've seen probably more growth in this guy from the standpoint of taking care of all parts of his life, and that's really good to see," McElwain said. "I really feel like he's a guy that now has the ability to play different spots for us, which we're going to need. He's going to be a guy who's going to have to take a lot of reps, play a lot of downs and not go through those hiccups where maybe he takes a play off or two. At the corner position, obviously that's when you get beat. He's done a really good job of that, and I look for some leadership out of him as well."

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Bell's career began as a true freshman, thrust into action when injuries hit the team. He learned some lessons the hard way, getting beat, but he kept coming back. Year after year he's done so, and the past season under co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Al Simmons has taught him even more.

"You learn stuff," he said with a smile. "I wish I would have known all this before."

As one of the Rams' key cornerbacks last year, Bell was still asked to play a bevy of roles. He is the nickel back, can play safety when called upon and that makes him a great source to lean on for the younger set in the secondary.

The Rams feel they have talent at safety and corner, but most of the players still have the bulk of their careers in front of them. Trent Matthews, Kevin Pierre-Louis and Jasen Oden are all sophomore safeties; corner Bernard Blake is a junior, but DeAndre Elliott is a sophomore. He's not the most vocal player on the roster, but he understands what comes with seniority.

"It's a big role, because this is my fourth year, so the guys kind of respect me," Bell said. "I know everything from playing safety and nickel a lot, so I can help them out whenever they need help. Trent Matthews is a pretty good leader. He gathers everything fast, so he's a leader as well."

McElwain knows he doesn't say much, but then again, he'd rather the other players watch him and learn how they are supposed to do things, the way they are expected to attack practice.

Again, it's further proof of growth McElwain has seen in Bell.

"I like this about Shaq. He's not one of those vocal rah-rah guys, but he's really paid attention in practice and taken every rep with the kind of work ethic we're looking for, and that's good," McElwain said. "The thing I like he's taking more pride and challenging himself. I'd see times where he'd really get in a bail situation, let a lot of things happen underneath him, and he's really been working on that a lot this spring."

Again, just some more knowledge he wished he had way back when.

He understands his value in the defense, but both sides would like him to become the type of corner that can be left alone to do his job. With that, others are taking a run at playing at nickel this spring in hopes of freeing Bell to stay put.

He'd like that, but when duty calls, he says he'll be ready.

"Wherever they need me I'll play, but I'm liking the outside more," he said. "I want to be that corner, that lock-down corner, the premier corner that makes plays. That's their expectation for me."